I might as well do this Leeroy Jenkins style and try it out since I’ve had it since the summer. I’m not going into a fancy schmancy 20+, or even 8+ steep fest here because quite frankly, I’m not a fan of pu-erhs, and I anticipate crying in my sauerkraut after the fifth steep.

First steep: Ultra smoky and meaty. Like smoked meat. Barely any sweetness or anything. I can feel the shreds of charred steak between my teeth. I haven’t had a steak in over fifteen years, so this isn’t a pleasant steep for me.

Second steep: Not as smokey but still meaty. Touch of sweetness.

Third steep: Meaty with some vegetal note creeping in. Smoke in the background. These first three steeps all smell the same, though.

Fourth steep: A bit smokey but less meaty. The vegetal note is somehow softer than before. Beef jerky.

Fifth steep: A bit more vegetal with the smoke + meatiness. This is a little more balanced than the previous steeps. Even though I can see that this is getting better for my own personal tastes, I’m stopping here.

Interesting experience but this has reminded me that I’m not a fan of pu-erh. And that I don’t miss steak.